Tourism Industry Optimistic as ITB Fair Looms

As Berlin gears up for its annual ITB tourism fair a new tourism barometer released on Wednesday says the travel industry is picking up after two years of crisis. The study, which surveyed 1,027 travel companies in the 20 most important travel destinations around the world, said that about 67 percent of travel companies are expecting more passengers and guests. Even the German travel industry shows signs of optimism. "The positive results about travel plans of consumers will surely be shared by international travel agencies, airlines, bus, rail, car rentals, hotels and tourism ministries," Martin Buck of the Messe Berlin, which is organizing the ITB, said. With over 10,000 exhibitors from 178 countries, the ITB, which opens this Friday, is the world's largest tourism fair.